1947 Triumph 3T Deluxe

1947 TRIUMPH 3T DELUXE BACKGROUND
Triumph production reverted to civilian machines in 1946, following the end of World War II. The biggest market that the British motorcycle industry needed to fill was the pressing need for cheap, economical transport to-and-from-work. In response, Triumph announced the new 3T, a 350cc companion to Edward Turner's 500cc 5T Speed Twin. The 3T was similar in many respects to the Speed Twin, but also borrowed features from the TRW and 3TW military motorcycles it built for the Queen during the War. Basic engine design followed the 5T, but featured rocker boxes incorporated into its iron cylinder-head casting and a built-up (pressed-together) crankshaft with one-piece connecting rods. The punchy, vertical twin developed 19 horsepower and was capable of 74mph at the top end. Ridden normally, the 3T returned fuel economy approaching 80mpg and was warmly received by economy-minded buyers. The engine possessed a measure of the low-down 'grunt' associated with Triumph's larger twins and as a result was a pleasant, charismatic machine to ride. In production from 1946 through 1951 and never built in huge numbers, a 3T is a rare sight today, especially in the U.S. This 1947 Triumph 3T Deluxe was sold in auction in Las Vegas in 2017 for $10,000.